Giveaway: A Special Connection by Theresa Troutman

Life has been a constant challenge for Jake Lewis. Left paralyzed emotionally and physically by a car accident, which killed his parents when he was just twelve years old, Jake struggles to be happy. His best friends, Rick Welsh and Samantha Andrews, are a couple who fight as passionately as they make up. This puts Jake in an awkward position.

Three friends who are as close as can be.

Rick Welsh, the hotshot basketball player, who hopes to leave college and go pro.

Samantha Andrews, the brainiac, blessed with common sense and beauty.

Jake Lewis, the crippled virgin, who believes no girl could love a damaged guy with a disability.

In despair, these friends share a moment that will forever change their lives.

Life is messy.
Love is complicated.
True love doesn’t always come wrapped in a pretty package with a bow on top.

Is it possible that the friend you never had sexual feelings for is the person who will touch your soul like no other?

I stood, with the help of my crutch, and walked over to the closed door. I opened it to find Jenna on the other side. “Sorry, I just needed some quiet time.”

Jenna smiled. “I don’t think there is such a thing as quite time in the Welsh household.”

“Come on in,” I offered, moving aside to make room for her to enter.

Jenna stepped into the bathroom, her heels clicking on the tile floor. She shut the door behind her, leaned against it and closed her eyes. She was dressed in a red velvet sleeveless dress and black stockings, her long blonde hair gently falling over her shoulders. Jenna was pretty and always had an available posse of boys who followed her around. She frequently dated, but was never serious with any one guy. That probably had something to do with the fact that she had three big brothers who would beat the crap out of anyone who tried to take advantage of her.

“You’re right. It is quiet. That’s a nice change of pace,” she sighed, opening her eyes to meet my gaze. Jenna took a few more steps towards me. Soon we were inches apart. Her gaze never left mine. Her hazel eyes held promise. Then she wet her lips with her tongue and leaned in to kiss me.

I was taken aback by the action—my lips unmoving, my eyes wide open, watching her kiss me. It was unbelievable to comprehend any girl would want to kiss ‘Jake the cripple,' but Jenna was kissing me. I felt the tip of her tongue dart into my mouth and I moaned. I dropped my crutch, the aluminum clanging as it hit the floor, and wrapped my arms around her waist. Closing my eyes, I let go and kissed her back. Her mouth was sweet and supple, warm and wet.

When we finally pulled apart, we were gasping for air, Jenna’s hands on my shoulders, her forehead resting on my chin. “I always wondered what it be like to kiss you, Jake. Damn, that was amazing.” She looked up at me through her thick black eyelashes and smiled. “Where did you learn to kiss like that?”

I shrugged, feeling my cheeks grow red. “I don’t know. You’re the first girl I ever kissed.”

“I think we should try that again,” she said, leaning in for another kiss.

We kissed with more feeling. Jenna’s hands caressed my neck, then her fingers tangled in my hair. I tried to pull back, afraid she would feel my growing arousal. This was all brand new to me. I’d never imagined any girl would be interested in me and assumed I’d live my life alone, without physical connection. Yet, here was pretty Jenna—gorgeous Jenna—making the moves on me!

When we came up for air, I gently brushed a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, touched her swollen lips with the pad of my thumb. “Why me?”

“Why not? You’ve been a permanent fixture in the household for six years. I’ve had a crush on you forever, Jake.”

“I had no idea,” I stuttered. I had no clue why Jenna was attracted to me, but I seized the moment and asked, “Will you go out with me, on a real date?”

“Compared to a fake date?” she asked with confusion.

“No, I mean, you won’t be embarrassed be to seen with me in public?”

“Why would I be embarrassed?” I motioned to my bum leg, but didn’t say a thing.

“Jake, I don’t care about your leg. I care about you. I would be honored to go on a real date with you.”

I smiled, so happy in the moment that I forgot one major detail. “Oh, shit. Your brothers are going to kill me when they find out.”

Jenna simply laughed. “Seriously, you’re a part of this family. They love you like a brother.”

“That makes you my sister and that just sounds perverted.”

“John and Jason will be heading back to college and Rick doesn’t need to know.”

I thought about it for a second. That was all I needed to make up my mind. “Pick you up at seven tomorrow?”

“Perfect,” she replied, leaning in for one last kiss. “I’ll go out first. Meet you downstairs.” Jenna opened the door and peeked outside into the hall to make sure the coast was clear. She looked over her shoulder and said, “Merry Christmas, Jake.”

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Theresa Troutman lives in Douglassville, Pennsylvania. She is an avid reader and loves, travel, art and theatre. My Secret Summer is her first published work. A Special Connection, a new adult romance is now available. Her first full length novel, Life's What You Make It will be released in April 2014.

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